NECA Convention 2009 Seattle: The Blog

One program that’s generating some early buzz in Seattle was yesterday’s pre-convention workshop on how to do a facility energy audit. Participation swelled, forcing the workshop to relocate to a larger classroom.

Energy Audit: A Portal to Green Projects offered contractors their first look at a brand-new resource developed just for them by NECA – a step-by-step guide to evaluate the energy conservation, efficiency and alternative power opportunities for an existing building.

“The first step to winning a green energy project is proving to your customer that you understand their energy needs and that you can do the work to meet their green building goals. When an electrical contractor does a facility energy audit, he shows he can meet both needs,” said Dick Nogleberg, chair of NECA’s Energy Solutions Task Force. The task force was the driving force behind developing the audit tools and training.

Owners tell us that the firm who does their energy audit is usually the same contractor who creates their green energy project and controls the work. Energy audit expertise is a highly valuable addition to a NECA member’s green energy business and profit development toolkit.

Future energy audit training will be available through MEI.

Hi everyone!

I’m Beth Margulies, NECA’s director of public relations, and I’ll be live-blogging NECA’s convention and trade show in Seattle this week on blog.necaconvention.org.

I hope you’ve been reading the blog to keep up with new sessions and special offers, but now with everything in full swing, we’re shifting our coverage on-site, with daily reports on sessions, speakers and scenes from the Show floor. If you see something you like here, use the Social Media tools on each post to share it on your own Facebook, Twitter or MySpace page.

But this blog isn’t the only way you can keep up with everything that’s going on in Seattle.  You can become a fan of the NECA Convention on Facebook to receive important updates before the events and while they happen.

Or follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/necaconvention for quick updates about new blog posts, room changes, and raffle drawings.  Ginger Wilson has already tweeted tons of pictures and reports from pre-convention workshops and as the Show floor takes shape. If already on Twitter, you can tag your own tweets with #NECA09 to let your followers know you’re tweeting about NECA 2009 Seattle.

For NECA 2009 Seattle attendees who aren’t familiar with everything social media can offer electrical contractors, you might want to attend the management seminar I’m leading on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 8 a.m., What is Social Media and How it Can Help Your Business.  Details about NECA’s own social media can be found on our website, too.

There won’t be a lot of time to spare in Seattle, so take advantage of NECA’s social media for event updates and to stay in touch!

Readers of NECA’s Contractors Code Letter will know about our special National Electrical Code-focused pre-convention workshops, including Sneak Peak at the 2011 Proposed NEC Code Changes, presented by Mike Johnston, NECA Executive Director, Standards and Safety. The half-day seminar on Friday, Sept. 11, will cover both the 2008 NEC and highlight some of the more than 5,000 proposed changes for the 2011 NEC.

Significant Changes to NFPA 70E 2009, also on Friday, Sept. 11, will cover how changes in the de facto electrical safety standard will impact on-site safety practices and project costs. The pre-convention workshop will be lead by Palmer Hickman, NJATC Director of Code and Safety Training and Curriculum Development.

All pre-convention workshops and many NECA 2009 Seattle management seminars can earn Continuing Education credits for attendees. Most pre-convention workshops only cost $125 for each registrant – a great bargain for professionals to need continuing education credits!

If you’re in the Seattle area, pre-convention workshops are a great way to take advantage of NECA’s training without spending too much time out of the office or away from home. If you’ve already made your plans to be at NECA 2009 Seattle, make the most of your time there by registering for a special pre-convention workshop today!

Register today!

Thanks to everyone who got their NECA 2009 Seattle registrations in before early registration closed on July 24. All those last-minute decisions pushed our attendance well beyond expectations!

“I think it shows that NECA members recognize what great value there is in attending the NECA convention and trade show is, even in a down economy,” said NECA CEO John Grau. “We’re really refined this year’s program to focus on key education topics and the right networking opportunities. NECA members know they can’t afford to miss it.”

Registration is still open, and anyone can register on-site in Seattle as well.

“I’m thrilled we’ve met our attendance goals, but we don’t want to stop now,” said Beth Ellis. “There still plenty of time and plenty of space to register. In fact, many people are looking at their plans now and realizing they want to add on a pre-convention workshop or tour to their schedule. That’s great, too. We want to make NECA 2009 Seattle the best convention for our members that we can!”

To add a pre-convention workshop, go here.

Special events and fun social activities before, during, and after our Convention and Trade Show are just the icing on the cake. The main ingredient is the educational opportunites making NECA 2009 Seattle your energy solutions classroom and your pathway to learning how to cope and prosper in these tough times. Be smart now: Register before early discounts expire on July 24. Get even smarter in September!

Early registration ends July 24! Save NOW on registration and hotel bookings.

NECA 2009 Seattle is full of educational opportunities, but you’re not limited to the sessions during the convention and show – NECA offers a wide range of Pre-Convention workshops taught by our highly skilled instructors, the best in the industry!

This year we have added several courses in business development and management in efforts to help electrical contractors get ahead. These courses will provide the tools and resources you need to survive this tough economy.

Did you know? Signing up for Pre-Convention Workshops entitles you to all three days on the NECA Show floor, all technical workshops AND entry into the New and Featured Product Room! What are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Check out NECA 2009 Seattle’s management sessions, like, Learn about the Vendor Partnering for Better Profit & Performance. Whether your firm is small or large, you won’t want to miss out on this session! Sign up today and register to attend NECA 2009 Seattle!